Photoelectric cell actuated trap throwing machine



y 1954 v. F. M IN'HRE' 2,677,361

PHOTOELECTRIC CELL ACTUATED TRAP THROWING MACHINE Filed June 28. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l v I 4 6 INVENTOR.

\ pfr z'z F 772 12222 1923 m 5MY@.

ATTD RN EYE y 4, 19.54 v. F. MOINTIRE 2,677,361

PHOTOELECTRIC CELL ACTUATED TRAP THROWING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Al 0 1p f mjf'zmra 1.20 ATTD R N EYs May 4, 1954 V. F. M lNTlRE PHOTOELECTRIC CELL ACTUATED TRAP THROWING MACHINE Filed June 28. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

5 flajwra.

ATTCIRN EYB y 1954 v. F. M INTIRE 2,677,361

PHOTOELECTRIC CELL ACTUATED TRAP THROWING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I I I I I l w I fig? 86 \J V 53 J INVENTOR.

ve zyiz' Z W261i 1 ire,

J4 ATTCI RNEYS May 4, 1954 v. F. MCINTIRE 2,677,361

PHOTOELECTRIC CELL ACTUATED TRAP THROWING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N V ENTOR.

ATTORNEYS QUJO Patented May 4, 1954 PHOTOELECTRIC CELL ACTUATED TRAP THROWING MACHINE Vergil Frank Mclntire, Banning, Calif.

Application June 28, 1950, Serial No. 170,847

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to trap shooting, and in particular a plurality of photo-electric cell actuated machines distributed over a trap shooting area whereby interception of a light beam actuates operating instrumentalities that throw clay pigeons or targets into the air.

The purpose of this invention is to introduce the element of surprise in trap shooting whereby a marksman sets target throwing mechanisms in action without being aware of the presence of the said mechanism.

Various types of automatic target throwing devices and machines have been provided which discharge or throw clay pigeons and the like at spaced intervals but where the operation is automatic the time interval is ascertained by the marksman. With this thought in mind this in vention contemplates target throwing machines positioned at diiierent points around a course in which the positions of the machines are changed continuously and in which the marksman is not aware of the presence or position of the machine.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means for actuating target throwing machines whereby the machines are actuated by a marksman without the marksman realizing that the machine has been released or set in action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trap throwing machine that is automatically reset aiter each operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a photo-electric cell actuated trap throwing machine which is of a comparatively simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a trap throwing machine having a throwing arm actuated by a spring with a solenoid actuated release and with the arm returned by a friction disc wherein the arm is released and the parts actuated by the interception of a light beam.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view with parts broken away illustrating the throwing arm and the operating instrumentalities thereof.

Figure 2 is a cross section taken on line 2-2 of Figure .1. illustrating the friction disc for resetting the throwing arm.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through theoperating gears by which the resetting discs and trap carrying discs are actuated.

Figure 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1 showing the mounting and operating mechanism of the clay pigeon carrying disc.

Figure 5 is a detail, or an enlarged scale illustrating a method of discharging clay pigeons to throwing positions in front of the throwing arm. Figure 6 is a detail showing a section through the clay pigeon dropping elements taken on line 8- 5 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a details'how'ing' a section on line 'l'! of Figure 6 illustrating the throat of the throwing arm. I v

Figure 8 is' a section taken on line 8-'8' of Figure 1 illustrating the trip release lever for releasing the throwing arm.

Figure 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 1- showing a section through the switch actuating lever.

Figure 10 is a detail illustrating a roller positioned in the clay pigeon carrying disc for" actuating a motor switch.

Figure 11 is a plan view showing a detail of a double switch actuated by a roller as illustrated in Figure 1-0.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the roller shown in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the circuits of the clay pigeon throwing machine.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view ilustrating the tract of ground with a shooting path indicated thereon and with throwing machines distributed at difierent points-around the tract.

Figure 15' is a detail illustrating a signal light panel positioned at spaced points in the track to indicate whether or not the track is clear.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts the improved target throwing machine of this invention includes a throwing arm Ill pivotally mounted on a pin 1 I and actuated by a spring l2, a resetting gear l3, a clay pigeon carrying disc l4 pivotally mounted on a vertically disposed shaft 15 and a plurality of actuating solenoids with suitable circuits in which the parts are positioned.

The throwin arm i0 is slid'ably positioned on a platelfi and the forward side of the arm isprovided with a clay pigeon receiving throat or socket- H which is provided in an offset section I8 as illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7. The socket I1 is provided with a cover plat I9 having pins extended downwardly which are positioned as shown in Figure 5 to engage the inner edges of clay pigeons as indicated by the numerals 2| and 22. As illustrated in Figure 6 the clay pigeons are inserted in openings 23 in the disc I 4 by pressing the clay pigeons upwardly from the under surface of the disc, and the pigeons are held against a plate 24 by springs 25 and 26 and as the clay pigeons arrive in positions above openings 21 in the plate 24 th springs press the clay pigeons downwardly as shown in Figure 6 with the clay pigeons riding on springs '28. The springs 28 urge the clay pigeons into the pocket I1 of the throwing arm I0 as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 6.

The opposite end of the throwing arm I0 is provided with a hub 29 through which the arm is pivotally mounted on the pin II and, as illustrated in Figure 2 the hub is provided with a bearing sleeve 30 and the sleeve extends downwardly to a boss 3| that is journaled in a hearing sleeve 32 that extends downwardly from the plate I6. A friction washer 33 is provided between the hub 29 and plate I6.

The hub 29 is also provided with a recess 34 in which a sprin 35 is positioned and the spring urges the resetting gear I3 upwardly as illustrated in Figure 2, the gear bein mounted on the bearing 36. The gear I3 is also provided with a hub 31 that is positioned to frictionally engage the upper surface of the hub 29 whereby with the gear heldagainst the upper surface of the hub 29 by a solenoid 38 the throwing arm I0 will turn with the gear and with the gear actuated in a clockwise direction the long end of the throwing arm will travel from the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 to the position shown in full lines, in which position it is held by a-latch 39, as shown in Figure 8.

The solenoid 33 is provided with a core 40 that is pivotally connected to an arm 4| by a pin 42 and the arm is pivotally mounted in a bearing 43 on a cover plate 44 by a pin 45. The end of I the pin II extends through a sleeve 46 in a hub 41 on the plate 44 and the upper end is positioned to extend into a socket 48 of the lever 4|, as shown in Figure 2.

With the parts arranged in this manner energization of the solenoid 3B draws the lever 4| downwardly forcin the pin II with the gear I3 thereon downward whereby the hub 31 of the gear engages the upper surface of the hub 29 so that the throwing arm is actuated to resetting position.

'the disc I4 is journaled through a bearing 59.

The bushing 58 is provided with a sleeve into which the shaft I5 slides upon downward movement thereof by the solenoid, 6| which moves the shaft I5 and gear 53 downward when energized. The solenoid 6| is provided with a core 62 that extends through a lever 63 pivotally mounted in a bearing 64 on a bar 65 by a pin 66.

The core 62 is provided with-a head 61 by which the lever is drawn downwardly. In the free pcsition the lever is urged upwardly by a spring 68 and the outer end of the lever is pivotally connected by a pin 69 to an arm 10 that is slidablt held in bearings 1| and 12 and that is provided with an upwardly extended inner end 13 that engages the under surface of the disc I4, providing a brake, retaining the disc I4 in a stationary position until the solenoid 6| is energized. By this means the gear 53 turns continuously and when the device is actuated to throw pigeons a circuit is completed to the solenoid 6| which releases the brake 13 and holds the hub 56 of the gear 53 in contact with the hub of the disc I4 so that the disc is rotated to position another pair of clay pigeons over the opening 21.

The outer end of the throwing arm I0 is provided with an opening 14 in which one end of the spring I2 is positioned and the opposit end of the spring is held in an opening 15, of a switch lever 16 which is pivotally mounted on the plate I6 by a pin 11 and which is urged against the action of the spring I2 by a spring 18, one end of which is secured in an opening 19 of the switch lever and the other man opening of a support bar 8|. A stop 82 on a brace 83, that connects the outer end of the bar 8| to the plate I6 is provided to hold the switch lever against the action of the spring I2.

The latch 39 that retains the throwing arm in the cocked position is provided with a beveled upper end 84 whereby upon return movement of the throwing arm I0 the latch is forced downwardly against the tension of a spring 85 which holds the latch upwardly in the position shown in Figure 8. The latch 39 is pivotally mounted by a pin 86 on the end of a lever 81 and the lever is pivotally mounted in a bearing 88 by a pin 89. The opposite end of the lever is pivotally connected by a pin 90 to a core 9| of a solenoid 92 which is positioned on the under surface of the plate I6. As the solenoid 92 is energized the end of the lever that is connected to the core of the solenoid is drawn upwardly-whereby the latch 39 is drawn downwardly so that the arm I0 is released and upon release of the arm I0 the spring I 2 actuates the arm with a snap movement from the position shown in full lines in Figure 1 to that shown in dotted lines wherein the arm discharges or throws clay pigeons from the machine.

In order to properly time the operation of the motor and loading solenoid the disc I 4 is provided with radially disposed openings 93 in which rollers 94 are journaled on pins 95, and the rollers are positioned to engage the switch actuating rollers 96 and 91 on arms 98 and 99, respectively, as shown in Figure 11 and the arms, which are pivotally mounted in bearings I00 and I0| actuate the switches through bars I 02 and I03.

As illustrated in Figure 3 the motor 5| is suspended from an upper plate I04 by a bracket I05 and the shaft 50 is mounted in hangers I06 depending from the plates I04. The worm gear 49 meshes with the gear I3 at one side and with the gear 53 through the pinions 52 and I01 on a shaft I08. The shaft is journaled in bearings I09 and I In in the plates I04 and I6, respectively and the pinions are secured in position upon the shaft by set screws III and H2 in hubs II3 and H4 respectively.

The plate I04 is mounted above the plate I5 by bolts I I 5 with spacing sleeves II 6 thereon.

The units are provided with circuits, as illustrated in Figure 13,having'photo-electric cells I25 with anode tubes I26 providing reflectors and the photo-electric cells are connected to a source of current supply throughgzwires 1M 1 rand-21128 and? connected :to a starting solenoidflasforiclosingfac switch: 1-:39 zby swims-e23! l a11d2li32iWhiChQEXtBIIfiF? throughgai timer-1i '33::

Closing "of l'bhBlSWl'tChJl 30 :sends :currfent: to the; solenoid; 92 athrough zwiresztfll sander-L35 eandether': solenoid 9.2 actuates: theslatchz39 to frelease thel.

throwing :arm raso sthat clayzpigeons'ror rothere'obei:

j ects are discharged *fromzthed'evi'ce'. :2.

Upon release of the springil'l with thenperation-i of the :arm 11% the'spring' la drawsitheswitchilever':

15 against the contacts 135 and-"1:31 iiclos'ingr thee switches l 38 and 1.39 respectively;:ithezswitch:l 38 i completinga circuittto the cocking'vsol'enoidsatiiz and the :switch' .l 39 l'completingta circuit: to "the: motor 5 l .v

Thei switch':l38 connectedtin series iwitlri'a similar three-'wayiswitchlll0 :with'thefswitch "1'38 1 connecte'd by a wire: Ml and'aiwirerlflz-to asourcesof current-supply through: therwire: I 2 I .andrwith .1 the switch M0 'conrrecte'dabya-wire .1 d3 to *oneasid'eo of I the solenoid 33 with ithevopposite sideccf 1711B.

solenoid connected by. :a: wire: M4410 *thefrwire'rt28 of the current;:supply:througlr"a wire TMFHHICI' a: combination of three-Way'sswitches MBfiand" HTS: which are connected-'by wiresrMma-nct' lI49. -:Tlie switches l38 ED011140 are also connected by Wire's" I50 and l5l.

The switch 'I 39 is connected to thef'motorsfitl by a wire I 52: and from the motor; to source of r current supply by a'wire l53fand through the wire to 'one side of "the source of current supply 1 l 28 if byithe wires 35, MB aZnd l l8 o'r lt9f The opposite side of the switch l39is connected. byith iwires: lfil and lvfidthrough' 'a switch liifi whichi'is CORP-1'1 nected to theothersideoflthe' 'source' of current Upon closingthecirouitthe latch 39is" actuatedby the solenoid 92 to 'release -thevthrowing arm: 6 t which is actuated by the spring fll "and" with the spring l2 "released thetswitche's I38 and l39 are closed by the switch lever l6 whereby thegear 53 operatingthrougkthe friction hubs tli and 29" returns the throwing-"arm 'lll to theFfuIMme position shown in Figure l and as the armarrivesin this position it contactsthe switch flfl "and"a'n-== other switch 158 whereby 'the circuit is broken to the solenoid-M sc that the"throwing arm-i !0 is released from the friction surface of th""hub-' 3 1 of the'gear' I3 and a circ'uitis complet'ed 'through the switches 'l 58 and I59 to the solenoid '5"! which" actuates the friction clutch surfaces'of the liule 56-21111 disc M wh'ei'ebythe'diso rotates untilthe": roller 94 engages the -rolle'r' s'iliiands"! tooperatei the switches [Stand [59 to 'break thecircuit to fthe solenoid 6i and also the-circuit to the' motort 5|.

close the'. circuit; 'Ihei 5| 3 3 is set to -:prevent:.- the circuit being: icompieted more than-1 once-aim The switch l58'is connected wire M2 to the ,latch, meanstreturningthe arm to thercocked:

five minutes :and;with=a plurality- :Qf emachinesvpoee sitionedc-atrdifferent-ipoints; such-:as :the :points 5 clayzpigeons "or :otheretargets iwillwfly vor will .be. throwrracrossrtheipathias a, markman crosses the line of sightbetweena photo-electricrcell .125 and ananodeflfi. f.

The t'tractt cor course is provided with a safety wall .1 13, with range I stations positioned at varir ous .points', .andwith safety panels 66,. I61; I68, I69; I10 "anda'fll," positioned at spaced intervals to .warn hunters" if the section-ahead is clean. These panels are provided with green lights PM and red lights I65, the.red lights indicating that v hunters: are in :the'section aheadand the green.

lights: indioating-rthatithe section is clear; The. panels. are. provided 2 .with manually actuated switches H4 and 'I 15.

Hunters may; therefore; travel through. the.

course :withsafety and as they progress through the sectionszthereoftargets are discharged by-thel machines.

It will'be understoodthat modifications mayqbe: madeiinitherdesign anarrangement-of the parts" withoutxdepartingrfrom:the spirit of 'the inven What is claimed iszi:

1. A trap'shooting'machine comprising a base,.

a throwingx'arm pivotally mounted on the base,- a spring; extended fromone end of the throwing arm'for'actuating the arm :for throwing projec-" tiles, a latch for retainingthe-throwing arm in the cooked position, a solenoid for releasing the latch, means returning the arm to the cocked position after throwing a projectile, a disc :having radially disposed projectilecarrying openings 'therethr'ough positioned-to drop projectiles in the'path of the throwing arm with the arm in thecocked position,--rollers carried by the discs and positioned between 'said' projectile carrying openings, means positionedto be engaged bythe said rollers or the disc having the projectile carrying openings therein for' halting the: progress of said disc-upon engagement thereof 'withithe.

rollers and an electric circuit for-connecting the parts.

v 2. 'A trap'shootingma'chine comprising a base,

a throwingarm pivotally fmounted-on the base, a spring-extended from one end of the throwingarm for' 'actuating' the arm for throwing :projectilesya latch for-retaining, the throwing arm in .1 theacocked position; a solenoid for 'releasingthe latch, means returningthe'arm'to the cooked position' after throwinga projectile, a disc having. radially disposed projectile carrying openings:-

therethrough positioned to drop projectiles in the tpath ofthe throwing-arm withfthe arm in the cocked position -rollers carried by the disc and positioned-between said projectile carrying open-:-

ings, means positionedto be engagedoyithe said rollers of v the 'disc havinglthe projectile carrying: openings -the'rein for halting the progress of said disc upon engagement thereof: with therollers.

and suitable circuits and-switches for supplying currentflto the parts.

3. A trap shootingmachine'comprising a base,

7 Y a throwing arm pivotallylmounted on the base, a

springextended-from one end of the..throwing arm for "actuating .the arm for. throwingiproj ece tiles, ta latch for retaining the throwing. arm. in thecockedposition; a soienoi'd iormeleasing' the position .after throwing a projectile, a discnhavs ing radially disposed projectileccarrying openings therethroughgpQsitionedto drop projectiles in the path ofsthei :throwinga arm with the arm in the cocked:positiongnrollersi carried wby thei. disccand 77% positioned between said projectile carrying openings, means positioned to be engaged by the said rollers of the disc having the projectile carrying openings therein for halting the progress of said disc upon engagement thereof with the rollers, suitable circuits and switches for supplying current to the parts, and a photo-electric cell positioned to close the circuit for operating the parts.

4. A trap shooting machine comprising a base, a throwing arm pivotally mounted on the base, a spring extended from one end of the throwing arm for actuating the arm for throwing projectiles, a latch for retaining the throwing arm in the cocked position, a solenoid for releasing the latch, means returning the arm to the cocked position after throwing a projectile, a disc having radially disposed projectile carrying openings therethrough positioned to drop projectiles in the path of the throwing arm with the arm in the cooked position, rollers carried by the disc and positioned between said projectile carrying openings, means positioned to be engaged by the said rollers of the disc having the projectile car rying openings therein for halting the progress of said disc upon engagement thereof with the rollers, suitable circuits and switches for supply ing current to the parts, a photo-electric cell positioned to close the circuit for operating the parts, and a motor in combination with transmission elements for operating the arm returning means and projectile placing means.

5. In a trap shooting machine, the combination which comprises a base, a throwing arm pivotally mounted on the base, said arm having a projectile receiving pocket in one end thereof, a switch lever pivotally mounted on the base, a spring connecting the end of the throwing arm opposite to that in which the pocket is positioned to the switch lever, a plurality of switches, means resiliently urging the switch lever toward the said switches, a latch for retaining the throwing arm in the cocked position, a solenoid for releasing the latch, means returning the arm to the cooked position, a plurality of switches positioned to be closed by the arm as the arm arrives at the cooked position, means placing projectiles in the path of the throwing arm with the arm in the cooked position, and suitable circuits connected to the switches and operating means and connecting the parts to a source of current supply.

6. In a trap shooting machine, the combination which comprises a base, a throwing arm pivotally mounted on the base, said arm having, a projectile receiving pocket in one end thereof, a switch lever pivotally mounted on the base, a spring connecting the end of the throwing arm opposite to that in which the pocket is positioned to the switch lever, a plurality of switches, means resiliently urging the switch lever toward the said switches, a latch for retaining the throwing arm in the cocked position, a solenoid for releasing the latch, means returning the arm to the cooked position, a plurality of switches positioned to be closed by the arm as the arm arrives at the cooked position, means placing projectiles in the path of the throwing arm with the arm in the cocked position, suitable circuits connected to the-switches and operating means and connecting the parts to a source of current supply, and a photo-electric cell positioned in said circuits for closing the circuits to operate the device when a beam of light extended therefrom is intercepted.

7. In a trap shooting machine, the combina tion which comprises a base, a throwing arm having a projectile receiving pocket in one end with a friction hub spaced from the opposite end pivotally mounted on the base through the center of said friction hub, a projectile carrying disc pivotally mounted on the base, continuously rotating gears positioned above the friction hub of the arm and projectile carrying discs, a motor for rotating the gears, clutch elements for actuating the friction hub of the arm and projectile carrying discs by the gears respectively, a latch for retaining the throwing arm in the cocked position, a spring extended from the opposite end of the throwing arm for actuating the arm to throw projectiles, a switch lever pivotally mounted on the base and connected to the opposite end of the spring extended from the throwing arm, a plurality of switches positioned to be engaged by'the said switch lever, means resiliently urging the switch lever toward the switches, a plurality of switches positioned to be engaged by the throwing arm as the arm returns to the cooked position, a plurality of switches positioned to be engaged by projections on the said projectile carrying discs, circuits connecting the switches to a'sourc'e of current supply and to operating instrumentalities'of the parts, and a photo-electric cell included in said circuit for closing the circuit as an object passes through a light beam extended therefrom.

8. In a trap shooting machine, a base, a throwing arm pivotally mounted on a base, resilient means tending to pivot the arm in one direction for throwing projectiles, a latch for retaining the throwing arm in cocked position, a solenoid for releasing the latch, a photo-electric cell in circuit with said solenoid, means returning the arm to cocked position after throwing a projectile and means for placing projectiles in the path of the throwing arm when the arm is in cocked position and; switch means actuated by said means for placing projectiles in the path of the throwing arm for actuating cocking mechanism for said arm.

9. In a trap shooting machine, a base, a throwing arm pivotallymounted on a base, resilient means tending to pivot the arm in one direction for throwing projectiles, a latch for retaining the throwing arm in cocked position, a solenoid for releasing the latch, a photo-electric cell in circuit with said solenoid, means returning the arm to cocked position after throwing a projectile and means for placing projectiles in the path of the throwing arm when the arm is in cocked position and switch means actuated by said means for placing projectiles in the path of the throwing arm for actuating cocking mechanism for said arm and; switch means in connection with said spring for energizing said means returning said arm to cocked position after'throwing projectile.

10. In a trap shooting machine,- the combination which comprises a base, a throwing arm pivotally mounted on the base, said arm having a projectile receiving pocket in one end thereof, a switch lever pivotally mounted on the base, means connecting the end of the throwing arm opposite to that in which the pocket is positioned to the switch lever, a plurality of switches, means resiliently urging the switch lever toward the said switches, means for retaining the throwing arm in cocked position, a solenoid for releasing the last named means, means returning the arm to the cocked position, a plurality of switches positioned to be closed by the arm as the arm arrives at the cooked position, means placing projectiles in the path of the throwing arm with the arm in the cooked position, and suitable circuits connected to the switches and operating means and connecting the parts to a source of current supply.

11. In a trap shooting machine, a base, a throwing arm pivotally mounted on said base, means tending to pivot the arm in one direction for throwing projectiles, means for retaining said throwing arm in cocked position, a solenoid for releasing the last named means, a photo-electric cell in circuit with said solenoid, means returning the arm to cocked position after throwing a projectile, and means for placing projectiles in the path of the throwing arm when the arm is in cocked position, and switch means actuated by said means for placing projectiles in the path of said throwing arm for actuating the cocking mechanism for said arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 10 1,989,452 Joy Jan. 29, 1935 2,135,603 Roth Nov. 8, 1938 2,310,746 Parker Feb. 9, 1943 2,531,613 Darrell Nov. 28, 1950 

